9 months ago
French-Russian Woman Detained for Suspected Espionage
A woman named Anna Novikova, who is both French and Russian, has been arrested in France.
The authorities think she might have been spying for another country.
She runs a group called SOS Donbass, which helps people in a part of Ukraine controlled by Russia.
Novikova has connections with people close to the Russian government, and she has met with important figures in France.
She says she is just doing humanitarian work, but the French government is worried about Russia using secret methods to harm its allies.
Novikova's husband and some of her associates say the accusations are not true.
The case is still being investigated.
Anna Novikova, a French-Russian national, is detained in France on suspicion of espionage.
She is the founder of SOS Donbass, an organization providing aid to Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine.
Novikova has extensive ties with Kremlin proxies and Russian political figures, including the United Russia party and the People's Front.
French prosecutors suspect her of approaching executives of French companies to obtain information about French economic interests.
Novikova's husband and associates dispute the allegations, stating her involvement is purely humanitarian.
- Who
- Anna Novikova, a French-Russian national and founder of SOS Donbass
- What
- Detained on suspicion of espionage for a foreign power
- Where
- France, with connections to Russia and Ukraine
- When
- Detained in December 2024, with activities dating back to 2023
- Why
- Alleged involvement in obtaining information about French economic interests for a foreign power
Key facts
- Name
- Anna Novikova
- Age
- 40
- Nationality
- French-Russian
- Organization
- SOS Donbass
- Alleged Activity
- Espionage on behalf of a foreign power
- Current Status
- In pre-trial detention in France
- Associates
- Vincent Perfetti, Martial Arneodo, Raphael Waxin
- Key Contacts
- Kremlin proxies, Russian political figures, French executives
Quotes
Anna Novikova
Founder of the humanitarian organization SOS Donbass, detained in France on suspicion of espionage.
“I am just an ordinary woman.”
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“I’m not an agent of the Kremlin or the FSB.”
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David Bocobza
Lawyer for Vincent Perfetti, one of the three people suspected of spying by French prosecutors.
“absurd”
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“punishment for holding pro-Russian views”
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Novikova's husband
Husband of Anna Novikova, who is detained in France on suspicion of espionage.
“It just does not tally with her psychology.”
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Donbas chapter of United Russia
The Donbas chapter of United Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s party.
“In France you now call providing humanitarian aid for the needy residents of Donbas espionage against France. It’s complete nonsense.”
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Guennadui Chmyrev
Ataman, or group leader, of the Association of Cossacks of France.
“Anna is a person with a good soul, and a big heart.”
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Martial Arneodo
IT consultant who has done work for Airbus, Safran, and Naval Group, and was contacted by Anna Novikova.
“laughable”
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Raphael Waxin
Drilling engineer at TotalEnergies, contacted by Anna Novikova.
“Novikova had never tried to ‘solicit’ me.”
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Florian Philippot
Leader of the Patriots, a far-right party in France.
“I did not know Novikova and my only contact with her was when she asked to take a selfie with me at one of my public events.”
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